Place UK, located in Tunstead near North Walsham, has emerged as one of the UK’s leading strawberry producers, harvesting over 1,500 tonnes annually from approximately 1.5 million plants. The company has integrated advanced automation and robotics into its operations, aiming to enhance efficiency while minimising environmental impact. This commitment to innovation is evidenced by their adoption of renewable energy sources, including ground-source heat pumps, and sophisticated irrigation systems that utilise rainwater harvested from the roofs of their extensive plastic polytunnels.

Central to their recent advancements is the deployment of the Thorvald robot, an autonomous device engineered in Norway. This robot effectively combats powdery mildew—a significant threat to strawberry crops—by applying bursts of shortwave ultraviolet light during the night. This innovative approach not only spares the need for chemical fungicides but also optimises the treatment conditions, ensuring the efficacy of the UV exposure. Dan Yordanov, head of fresh at Place UK, noted that multiple Thorvald robots operate across 11 hectares of strawberries, delivering treatments twice weekly. “We are continuously looking for ways to improve and automate,” he explained, highlighting the ongoing collaboration with technology firms to enhance their operations.

The integration of robotics in strawberry cultivation is not unique to Place UK. Other growers, such as Dyson Farming, have also implemented UV-light robots within their glasshouse operations, similarly reducing reliance on chemical treatments. These methods demonstrate a growing trend among UK strawberry cultivators, with reports indicating that robots are now treating approximately 10% of the UK’s strawberry crops, according to Saga Robotics. This shift towards using high-intensity UV-C light treatment underscores a collective movement towards sustainable agricultural practices.

Place UK is also employing advanced AI technologies, such as the FruitCast system, which predicts plant growth and yield based on digital imagery. This innovation allows for better planning in terms of labour and market supply, thus enhancing operational efficiency. The intersection of AI and robotics in modern farming signifies a transformative era in agricultural practices, contributing to improved yields and sustainability.

Despite these technological advancements, Yordanov cautioned against the notion that automation could soon replace manual labour entirely. He anticipates that human expertise will continue to play a critical role alongside these new technologies. “For quite a bit of time still, the technologies and the people will go hand in hand,” he remarked, indicating a balanced approach where human and robotic capabilities complement one another.

As part of their commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering future innovation, Place UK recently hosted a tour for 20 young researchers from the Early-Career Innovators’ Forum, organised by Agri-TechE. Dr Laura Bouvet, knowledge exchange manager at Agri-TechE, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to expose future influencers in the industry to cutting-edge agricultural practices. “Seeing the intersection of science, innovation and farming is always exciting,” she stated, emphasising the importance of collaboration and shared learning in shaping the future of agriculture.

With current developments firmly rooted in sustainable practices, Place UK stands as a model for the future of strawberry farming—balancing technology with a commitment to preserving the environment and enhancing productivity.

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Source: Noah Wire Services